One of the biggest challenges for most kids learning the piano, is all the alone time. Children like interacting with others and crave constant encouragement. Then again, don’t we all? 😏
Here’s a solution: learn a duet! It can be so much more fun to play piano with someone. Sure, the work still needs to be done independently, but it’s a huge motivator to know you will get to play with someone at the end of the independent practice. What better reward than to go play with your friends, right?! At the moment we are pretty limited, but those of you who have more than one child learning the piano (or other instruments)- have them try a duet! In fact, there will be at least one or two featured in this month’s Facebook recital at Glass House of Music. 🎶
Duets are not only fun and motivating, but also hugely beneficial! When you’re playing music with someone else, you have to be even more focused than when it’s just you. You have to know your part so well that you can keep going even if you play some wrong notes, miss some notes entirely, or if you hear any wrong or missed notes from your partner as well! You can’t let it throw you off. You will be hearing someone else playing something completely different, at the same time you are trying to execute your part. This takes immense concentration! You have to remember that if you make a mistake and stop, your partner will be completely lost. How are they supposed to know what you’re going to do next- Go back? To where? Keep going? When? 😅 Of course, mistakes happen- you just need to have a plan so you will both know what to do in the moment (and lots of rehearsal/practice time together)! All of this planning and coordinating really does bring you to a deeper understanding of how music works. Once you’re comfortable with duets, you can always move on to trying a trio! 😀 Now those are a ton of fun!! 🥳
Duets are actually one of my favourite features of the Faber lesson book series that I use for beginners. Almost every piece in the book has a teacher duet part written to go along with it. It’s a great way to ease students into collaborative playing! 🤗➕🤗➕🤗